'Ideal purchasers': Adam Pearson sends out message as Hull FC takeover is completed

Hull FC have announced that the takeover by Andrew Thirkill and David Hood has been completed, meaning Adam Pearson's tenure as owner has officially ended.

Pearson had been in control of the club since July 2011 but has been working on a deal with Thirkill and Hood, which has been finalised this week. The deal will see the duo, who are worth in the region of £500 million, take control of the club, with Thirkill, who is the father of director of rugby Richie Myler's partner Stephanie, to be the Black and Whites' new chairman as of next season. Hood will join the board.

The takeover completes months and months of negotiations, with Hull Live first reporting investment talk back in April. Those talks have gone on through the summer, with a takeover then muted over the autumn. That takeover will see Hull change hands for the first time in over 13 years.

READ MORE: Hull KR end investigation into incident in which Warrington director was allegedly punched

READ MORE: Adam Pearson reacts to 'satisfying' Hull FC takeover and comments on future role

In his farewell message, Pearson, who oversaw back-to-back Challenge Cup wins for the club in 2016 and 2017, highlighted the financial benefits for the club of the deal going through and spoke about how he will remain an on-looking supporter in the future. He has a sporting affiliation with Hull going back two decades after first working with Hull City A.F.C. and confirmed that Thirkill and Hood will invest into the playing squad while taking 'no monies from the club for at least a three-year period.'

In a statement released by Hull FC, Pearson said: "It gives me great pleasure to confirm that I am today handing over custodianship of this great club to such responsible and worthy individuals as Andrew Thirkill and David Hood OBE. I feel incredibly fortunate for them to have agreed to have taken on the responsibility of the future security and prosperity of the club.

"Both have been the ideal purchasers, exemplified throughout a respectful and confidential handover process, which I am pleased to announce has now been finalised. Andrew will become our new chairman, and David joins the board. To ensure a smooth transition for the start of a brand new era, Andrew and David have already been working hard behind the scenes to ensure the club is in the best condition possible for the season ahead."

Pearson continued: "It should be recognised that the new shareholders have not only undertaken to inject substantial sums of money into the club but have also agreed to take no monies from the club for at least a three-year period; no salaries, no management fees, no loan repayments, and no interest.

"Therefore, with immediate effect, I am delighted to say that all receipts that come into our club will now be directly benefiting the club, allowing further investment into our playing roster. The club is in a very fortunate position as we look to rebuild.

"I would like to sincerely thank our board members, off-field staff, corporate partners, and our supporters for their incredible support of myself and this great club throughout my ownership across the past thirteen years, and I wish the entire club and its personnel every success going forward. I look forward to watching on as a supporter with my family over the years ahead."

Click here - Get the latest news on our Rugby League Live WhatsApp channel